Maternity fashion tips: Tall, petite or plus size maternity styles and how to wear them

Finding styles that suit our shapes can be difficult at the best of times, especially if you're tall, petite or plus-size. 

Just as we've found those perfect staple pieces, that positive blue line comes along and challenges us all over again, especially once that precious bump begins to grow.

We decided to wave our magic wand to give you some maternity fashion advice on how to dress your body type.

Tall maternity fashion
Thankfully a range of designers and high street stores are waking up to the fact that tall women don't want to be left with chilly ankles when they pull their jean bump band up to where it should be, with Dorothy Perkins and Jojo Maman Bebe just some offering maternity jeans with 34" and 36" legs.
Team up with wrap shirts or empire line tops that will elongate your figure and show off your bump. Longer style cardigans or knitted maternity jumpers also ensure your bump remains covered.

Plus size maternity fashion
According to Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the Founder of Isabella Oliver, going up a few sizes to fit your bump will swamp other parts of your body, creating an unflattering look.

A ruched design, like this from Isabella Oliver, will create soft fitted pleats across your bump with extra fabric that can be adjusted as your body changes shape.

Wrap tops and dresses, clinched at the waist, will let you show off that new cleavage as well as allowing the rest of the fabric to drape effortlessly over your curves.

Petite maternity fashion advice

Tiffany Rose, a designer of evening and daytime maternity wear advises keeping it simple.

"Choose form-fitting styles with a smooth silhouette and choose fabrics with some stretch to give you the best fit.  Knee length is great for petite figures.  Avoid large or busy prints and opt for tonal colours, blocking or stretch lace," she said

"Emphasise the narrowest part of your body - your empire waist - by adding a contrasting sash.  Open necklines such as scooped and cross-over will flatter your décolletage.  Draw the eye up with a beautiful necklace," she added.

Also take advantage of the 60s turn up trend, opting for standard length jeans, which can be turned up to channel this, while maternity tops, made for "average" sized ladies, can also be worn as dresses.